Berek Halfhand

[Mark]

I've seen mentioned in another thread that a possible reason Covenant was summoned to The Land was because of his resemblance to Berek Halfhand.
Well, ever since reading Lord Foul's Bane I could never shake the feeling that somehow Covenant was Berek. I know this would require some strange manipulation of time but now that Covenant is the keeper of the arch of time and with a third chronicle being written.

Thoughts?

[Fist and Faith]

You're gonna have to do quite a song & dance to convince me of this one. If nothing else, Covenant's not much of a warrior.

[danlo]

Sorry, I can't buy that 1 either, that would have 2 b some serious, serious lifelong amnesia--and a total ripoff of Corwin's initial situation in the beginning of the Amber series...

I did purpose a theory once, in the topic "Townfullosonobitches USA" that Berek may b alive in our reality...but independant of Covenant...

[Romeo]

I don't think there's any chance of this.

I'm sure the answer isn't in the Land - it's in the process that went behind creating the story. SRD probably started out with the fact that his protagonist had leprosy, and because of that had belief and coping problems in the Land. I would think that after that came the idea to give him some resemblance to one of the Land's ancient heroes, which would gain him instant acceptance in the Land, and put even more pressure on him to BE the hero that he wasn't (and couldn't be - at the time, anyway).

It's possible that when SRD first started mapping out the book, that Covenant was NOT missing those two fingers. It would have been possible for the leprosy to be discovered, and all the other "real world" events to transpire, without the amputation. Or it could have easily been one or two of his toes that went, instead of his fingers. Then when he was looking for a way to make the two characters physically resemble each other, the two fingers went because it was a non-disabling, but visually obvious, injury. I don't think "halffoot"rolls of the tongue as nicely as "halfhand". heh heh.

This would be a great question to ask him in an interview, or in a list of questions (if one is ever put together again). This is the kind of stuff that really interests me - what was the thought process behind doing various things in the book. This is why I really want to make the pilgrimage to Kent State to read that first draft of Lord Foul's Bane. I'd be thrilled to see what little things (or big ones) were in that first draft that were later changed or cut.

[Romeo]

When I said "this", I meant the original post. The other post snuck in there while I was composing mine, so I didn't see it until I clicked Submit.

I don't remember the details of the SOB thread, but I think that it's a very interesting idea, and entirely possible. The history of Berek is sketchy at best, and since it was mostly passed down as verbal tales, there were sure to be some things left out or changed. Too bad the Haruchai weren't involved back then - they pass down their history mentally, which gives a much more accurate account than verbal tellings. Berek could definately have been from our world, and called to the Land by the creator to fight the first war against Foul. We do know that the king was raver-possessed, so that may have been prompted by some plot of the Despiser.

[danlo]

Hey, I resemble that remark...

Here r 2 of the key proposals I made in that thread:

1.) I kno this topic should b either in The 3rd Chorns or as a topic of it's own BUT back 2 the TFOSBS didn't the singer @ the nightclub tell TC on the phone that he reminded her of her old friend Berek? That always got me thinking of the possibility that Berek Halfhand somehow got "translated" 2 our earth and is still walking around...Perhaps Foul (through Drool) was actually looking 4 the "real" Berek, in our world, and found TC by mistake?
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2.) It was Berret not Derek--but he looked so much like TC the singer was ready 2 kiss him--so I still think it' Berek, just a slight alteration of the name...

Susie also mentioned that Berret/Berek was a singer...that got me really thinking...

[I'm Murrin]

It's possible that when SRD first started mapping out the book, that Covenant was NOT missing those two fingers. It would have been possible for the leprosy to be discovered, and all the other "real world" events to transpire, without the amputation. Or it could have easily been one or two of his toes that went, instead of his fingers. Then when he was looking for a way to make the two characters physically resemble each other, the two fingers went because it was a non-disabling, but visually obvious, injury. I don't think "halffoot"rolls of the tongue as nicely as "halfhand". heh heh.

It seems more likely to me that the halfhand was intended from the beginning - the fact the was a writer who had lost fingers because of his disease - yet another thing he had lost along with his life and family was his ability to write. The idea of an ancient hero with half a hand was probably introduced for the same reasons, though. He needed to be accepted and have things expected of him.

[Ryzel]

There is a certain symmetry to the fact that the creator chose TC just like earthpower chose Berek.

Would that make TC the prophet of the white gold?

[Lord Mhoram]

Perhaps Foul (through Drool) was actually looking 4 the "real" Berek, in our world, and found TC by mistake?

That, Danlo, is the most feasible thing I've seen in this thread. Quite possible.

[Mark]

Right then lets see how my musings stand up to scrutiny.

First up. Fist and Faith.
"If nothing else, Covenant's not much of a warrior."

Well, he wasn't much of a White Gold Wielder to start with either.

danlo, unless i've misunderstood YOU i think you've misunderstood ME. I don't mean that Covenant has already 'been' Berek I mean that he's going to be. Although in a way he would already have been Berek and so the paradox continues...

Romeo. As i suppose this is a discussion about what could be, or what could have been you are entirely right this would have been born out of the writers process in creating the story. But isn't everything born out of the writers creative process. Although I am starting to pick up the idea danlo and you mentioned about Berek being one of the earlier 'summoned'.

And again here's a fresh thought on danlo's Berek being translated into our world. Whilst Covenant was called to save the land could Berek have been sent to save the earth, after saving the land (phew this guy could be busy).

I don't know I think the Berek being from our world is quite possible. I mean Hile Troy was called (Sorry refresh me again how was he called, it's been a while since i read the illearth war), couldn't there be dozens of people all over being summoned at various times?

I still don't see Drool having summoned Covenant by mistake though.
And the physical similarites. Not just the halfhand - the nightclub singer mistaking him for Berek.

I think there's still something I'm missing.

[Earthfriend]

Hi, i'm very new to all this, so please forgive any faux-pas i may make!
The reason i joined this site was because i LOVE the chronicles (well, obviously...) but i have never heard of a third chronicle. WOW!

I'm a mixture of hope and fear however. It could be just what i've been looking for- a fantasy novel/series written by the Master to cater to my somewhat jaded tastes. But what if it's like the new STAR WARS movies; all glitz and glamour, but no real substance, no essence of truth which is what made the STAR WARS trilogy, and the Chronicles great in the first place. Gee, i hope Mr Donaldson is not just out to make a few bucks...

Anyway, i'd be grateful for any info you had on this subject, like when are the books coming out, are they a precursor to the current series', etc.

Cheers!
Earthfriend

[Dromond]

Well, hello Earthfriend! The front page of this site will lead you to plenty of info--From SRD Himself!!

[Earhtfriend]

Thanks for the heads up Dromond, i will go check it out!